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Airworthiness- Large Aircraft

Pursuant to Title 49 of the United States Code U.S.C. § 44709(a), the Administrator of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) may reinspect and reexamine, at any time, a civil aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance. ADs are authorized under part 39 and issued in accordance with the public rulemaking procedures of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), Title 5 of the United States Code (5 U.S.C.) § 553, and FAA procedures in 14 CFR part 11.

One way the FAA has implemented its authority is through part 39. Pursuant to its authority, the FAA issues Airworthiness Directives or ADs when an unsafe condition exists in a product (aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or appliance) and is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design. ADs are issued by the FAA to notify aircraft owners and operators of an unsafe condition and to require action(s) to resolve the unsafe condition. ADs prescribe the conditions and limitations, including inspection, repair, or alteration under which the product may continue to be operated.

All owners and operators of aircraft-- including commercial airlines, private jets and other large aircraft-- in the United States of America are responsible by law for complying with the relevant Airworthiness Directives (AD) and recording AD compliance in their appropriate maintenance records.

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